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Friday, July 10, 2015

Christmas TV Party 2015: Jim Inman

Christmas TV Party 2015: Jim Inman of Bloomington, IN1) What Christmas program/movie have you seen more times than any other?It's a tight race between A Christmas Story and Charlie Brown's Christmas. Both are required for holiday viewing.

3) What's your favorite TV or movie adaptation of Dickens' A Christmas Carol?It's
actually not a television adaptation - it's the Old-Time Radio version
with Lionel Barrymore as Scrooge. This was before Barrymore went on to
appear in another Christmas classic - as Old Man Potter in It's a
Wonderful Life. The sound effects and the power of imagination make
this a favorite variation of the Dickens' tale. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3gJ3jINcTR0

Lionel Barrymore from It's a Wonderful Life.

4) What do you think is the worst Christmas program/movie--or your least favorite, the most disappointing or most overrated?

I
have never understood anything loud/rude/obnoxious during the holidays.
Even as I get older, I still prefer the simplicity of a cartoon or
feel-good holiday film. If I had to pick disappointing, I would
probably select A Christmas Story 2, because a sequel was never needed
for the original film.5) If you were asked to give advice to a TV network executive in charge of holiday programming, what would you suggest?

Return
to the roots... bring in various performers and allow them to use their
talents on stage. Make the interactions genuine, not fake. Audiences
today can see right through special effects and personality - make
things real and engaging. Treat the holiday with respect, and be an
example to viewers that (as the Grinch said) "Christmas doesn't come
from a store. What if Christmas means a little bit more?"

Great answers, Jim! I too love that radio version of A Christmas Carol. In fact, I think you may have first introduced it to me. Oh and I couldn't agree more about not liking obnoxious or rude holiday entertainment. As time goes by I am drawn more and more back to the sweet, simple things that really exemplify the true spirit of Christmas. Thanks for sharing your answers!